Going vegan for Christmas has never been easier! This whole roast butternut is the perfect way to celebrate – complete with stuffing and vegan gravy.

SERVES 6 // COOKING TIME 3 hours

INGREDIENTS
For the whole roast butternut
1 cup basmati rice
1 cup water
½ cup vegetable stock
2 tbsp chopped parsley
1½ tbsp chopped thyme
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tsp flaxseed
2 tbsp hot water
½ cup dried cranberries
⅓  cup flour
1 large baby marrow, halved lengthways
1 carrot
1 butternut, halved lengthways and seeded
For the vegan gravy
¼ cup vegan margarine
½ onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp flour
2 cups vegetable stock
1 tbsp soy sauce

METHOD
For the whole roast butternut
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Bring the rice, water and stock to the boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 20 minutes, until the rice is cooked. Strain and stir in the chopped herbs.
3. Add some oil to a pan over medium heat. Fry the onion for 5minutes, until soft. Add the garlic and fry for another 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the rice and season to taste.
4. Whisk flaxseed and water.
5. Mix together the flaxseed, rice, cranberries and flour, until everything is fully incorporated.
6. Scoop out the flesh from the baby marrow, leaving a 5 mm border. Trim the carrot to fit inside one half of the baby marrow.
7. Scoop enough flesh from one half of the butternut to fit the baby marrow with the carrot inside. Fill the other baby marrow half with the rice stuffing and sandwich on top of the carrot.
8. Scoop enough flesh from the other half of the butternut to fit the remaining rice stuffing.
9. Prick the butternut flesh all over with the fork, and secure the two halves together with kitchen string.
10. Brush with oil, wrap in foil and roast for 1⅛ hours, until tender. Allow to rest inside the foil for 20 minutes before carving.
For the vegan gravy
1. Melt the margarine in a pan over medium heat. Add the onions and fry for 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
2. Add the flour and fry, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.Whisk in the stock and soy sauce and cook for 3 minutes, whisking constantly, until thickened.
3. Strain and season to taste.

Recipe & styling: Jezza-Rae Larsen
Photography: Gareth van Nelson // HMimages.co.za

These beetroot folders with tofu will add even more deliciousness to your vegan spread!

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